The economy of the Québec City metropolitan region thrives on dynamic business sectors and a vibrant business community, with research centers that combine science and expertise for a true economic powerhouse.

With a state-of-the-art expertise in biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, natural health products (cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals), medical technologies and information technologies related to health, the Québec City metropolitan region is ideally positioned for a growing market.

Food processing

With renowned leaders, creative entrepreneurs and products with high added value, the food processing industry in Québec City metropolitain region is a mecca for gastronomy and a leader in current market trends. An innovative industry with expertise in health food, nutraceuticals and functional food.

Insurance and financial services

With 10 insurance company head offices, the Québec City metropolitan region is the number 2 hub for the Canadian insurance industry. This rapidly growing sector plays a significant role in the regional economy, with CDN $6,1 billion in revenues.

Green and Smart Building

Positioned as the construction industry’s niche of the future, the green and smart building market is growing by leaps and bounds worldwide. The Quebec City region has earned an enviable position by focusing on entrepreneurial expertise and ingenuity.

Value-added materials and transportation equipment

Encompassing manufacturers of products made out of wood, metal, rubber, plastics and composite materials, as well as machinery and transportation equipment manufacturers, the industry is solidly positioned in Quebec City's regional economy.

One of the gems of UNESCO's world heritage, the Québec City metropolitan region is the perfect marriage of European and North American cultures. Firmly rooted in the 21st century, the Québec City metropolitan region has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years to ensure a place on the world stage.

Québec City's metropolitan region is among the most dynamic, trendy and economically viable of any metropolitan region in North America. Strongly rooted in the knowledge economy, the region has one of the highest growth rates for gross domestic product (GDP) in Canada, with significant annual increases in private investment.

Innovation and R&D

The Québec City metropolitan region has nearly 6000 researchers and partners, and one of the largest concentrations of research centers in Canada, with 400 research laboratories, groups, consortiums, institutes and R&D centers. Nearly CDN $800 million in investments is pumped into the region annually.

Workforce

The presence of major research universities in the Québec City metropolitan region ensures a pool of available, highly qualified workers, eager to find a place in one of the region's innovative companies.

Taxation and operational costs

Québec City's metropolitan region is your choice for starting up your business. Over the past decade, Québec City's metropolitan region has led the way in reducing start-up and operational costs (after taxes) for North American cities.

Our services

As an economic development agency, Québec International offers a full slate of services to help companies in the Québec City metropolitan region compete on international markets. The agency also provides support services for foreign investors and foreign subsidiaries of companies established on its territory.

As an economic development agency, Québec International offers a full slate of services to help companies in the Québec City metropolitan region compete on international markets. The agency also provides support services for foreign investors and foreign subsidiaries of companies established on its territory.

Trade and market development

Québec International offers support programs to help companies conquer new markets and establish effective marketing strategies. The agency helps companies develop business connections in target markets with consulting, referral and information services and activities ranging from training to international trade missions.

Technology entrepreneurship and funding

Québec International offers technology entrepreneurs a full slate of support services aimed at fostering growth and facilitating access to funding. Technology entrepreneurs benefit from coaching, mentoring and referral, funding roundtables, fast-track growth program, business competition and professional development—all to support technology businesses in the Québec City metropolitan region.

Attracting qualified foreign workers

strategic initiatives to help companies recruit skilled foreign workers. Services include international recruitment missions, agreements with foreign recruitment firms, personalized consulting service and a referral and information service with specialists in international mobility.

Support for investors and subsidiaries

Québec International helps foreign investors with start-ups or with expanding previously existing subsidiaries in the Québec City metropolitan region. Subsidiary managers receive assistance from experts dedicated to fostering the growth and development of their businesses.

News

News - The Minister of Finance, Mr. Michael Noonan TD, officially opened the Optel Vision EMEA Office in the presence of dignitaires from Ireland along with customers and partners from all Europe and the Americas. It is with great pleasure that, Optel Vision, the leading Canadian company specializing in Track & Trace and vision inspection solutions for the manufacturing industries has now opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Ireland to serve its customers across Europe.

News - Desjardins General Insurance Group (DGIG), a Desjardins Group subsidiary specializing in property and casualty insurance, recorded a net income of $63.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, up 38.8% from the corresponding period in 2013.

News - BlackOut design, a Quebec City firm of creators that is rapidly expanding at the international level, will wow audiences tomorrow during the opening ceremony of the International Parachuting Championship in Dubai. Scenario, visual design, lighting, music and décor: BlackOut design is behind all the fine details for this mega-production with dazzling multimedia concept, a breathtaking 360 degree experience presented in a huge silo measuring 60 metres in diameter that was specially built for the event.

News - Junex Inc. (TSX VENTURE:JNX) is very pleased to announce an oil discovery in its Galt No. 4 Horizontal Well that it drilled using its wholly-owned Foragaz No. 4 drilling rig. Having finished drilling on November 20th, this is the first horizontal oil exploration well ever drilled by industry in Quebec. This well is situated approximately 20 kilometers west of the town of Gaspé in eastern Quebec.

News - Quality Magazine took some time during this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago to show Quality Magazine’s readers the impressive performance and benefits of Creaform’s HandySCAN 3D, HandyPROBE and MetraSCAN 3D. Watch the entire presentation here.

News - The Electric Circuit and the united townships of Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury are pleased to announce the commissioning of a charging station in the parking lot of Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury's city hall on Chemin du Hibou. The charging station is now available for drivers of plug-in electric vehicles.

News - For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, Desjardins Financial Security (DFS), a subsidiary of Desjardins Group specializing in life insurance, health insurance and retirement savings products, recorded a net income of $239.4 million, compared to $271.6 million for the same period in 2013. Favourable financial markets saw investment performance positively impact the company’s results.

News - There is a new player coming to town for those people who like to have a car at their disposal without having to buy one. A German company known as Car2Go, has approached the city to install their new system of car sharing throughout the downtown area.

News - Group Germain Hotels is proud to announce today that all electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts will literally be able to recharge their batteries while getting a great night's sleep at its Le Germain and Alt Hotels across the country. The independent Canadian hoteliers are the first to roll-out the new Tesla Destination Charging program thereby providing its guests access to a private network of over 20 EV charging stations capable of delivering a full charge in 4 to 8 hours at its many hotels.

News - When La Maison Simons, the venerable Quebec-based department-store chain, opened its outpost in West Edmonton Mall two years ago, it was the company’s first store outside its home province. That foray, though, was just the beginning for the 175-year-old retailer, merely the eve of the next phase of Simons’s ambitious national expansion. Two years from now, five more stores – four outside Quebec and the fifth across from Ottawa in Gatineau – will be completed, if all goes according to plan.